Signing vs Agreeing To Terms

I was listening to a podcast yesterday, maybe on the Advocate. Can't remember for sure. But I do believe they said that alot of these guys, maybe like Herring and Humber, have agreed to terms but have not signed at this point because the Saints are still keeping money open for people like Nnamdi. Is this how it actually works? Could we still have cap money that the fans don't know about even though we've heard about players being signed or whatever?

re: Signing vs Agreeing To Terms(Posted by blueslover on 3/27/13 at 8:43 am to JB2010)

I could see the agreement in principle when you are reading from rotoworld or other news sources. When it it on the official NFL site as a completed transaction then I'd say it's officially in the books. Also sites like spotrac usually can only have this info after it is officially reported.

I'm sure plenty of players can be on hold, so to speak, but usually those wouldn't have any news out. Elbert Mack comes to mind. "We'll get you back after we have our other free agents & draftees sorted out."